Point of View

Pratchett writes in a third person omniscient perspective. Events are usually described relative to the current character of interest, jumping between characters as the story unfolds. This transition is sometimes abrupt, with the switch occurring in the span of a paragraph. Omniscience aside, the author generally focuses on one character at a time, only allowing the reader "inside the head" of the currently active character.

Pratchett is authoritative. There is very much a sense that the author is possessed of all knowledge: past, present and future. Further, the author often makes "round world" references to things such as light bulbs, subways and Zen philosophy. This draws attention to the artifice of the story, reminding the reader that the "how" of storytelling is just as important as the story itself. It also suggests that the authority of Discworld, Terry Pratchett himself, is very much of the reader's...